Post Mortem

What is the ruling regarding post mortem in Islam, it is required by the South African law to do a post mortem, how can we avoid this.

I am currently a medical student, it is the norm to cut open dead bodies to study the parts of the human body. Is this permissible?

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

Post mortem is an examination of a corpse in order to determine cause of death. The process entails the deceased person’s body being opened, the organs being removed and examined in close detail.

Post mortem is impermissible as it violates the sanctity of a human body due to mutilating the human body. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is reported to have said:

كسر عظم الميت ككسره حيا

Translation: Mutilating the body of a deceased person by breaking his limbs is tantamount to doing it to a living person.

However, if the post mortem is carried out due to the requirement of the law of the country, then one will be excused.

It is not permissible to dissect a cadaver and remove the parts and limbs for educational purposes. As a medical student, you should excuse yourself from actively participating in dissecting a cadaver. You may observe the cadavers that are being dissected.